Delhi municipal bodies to launch over 150 electric cars
By March end, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) will launch 75 electric vehicles, in tandem with Central Government's mission of switching to e-vehicles by 2030. Both the South and North (NDMC) Corporations are setting up charging points for electric cars in phases. In Phase-1, stations will be launched for government vehicles, and for private vehicles in Phase-2. This will be done by 2018.
NDMC installs 37 charging stations, SDMC 40
NDMC has already installed 37 charging stations (28 will run on AC, rest on DC) in different areas like Palika Kendra, Talkatora Stadium and Vidyut Bhawan, among others, for its 80 electric cars to be procured by March end. While SDMC will install 40 charging stations at Ambedkar Stadium, Lajpat Nagar, Najafgarh and Dwarka, among others, for its 75 e-cars.
Involve more private players for successful project: Experts
Experts believe that if private companies are not roped in to run the charging points, the mission will be unsuccessful. "Of the total 10.4 million registered vehicles in Delhi, number of electric vehicles would be in few thousands. There are just 10 charging stations in city run by a private company which are insufficient," said Kamal Soi from National Road Safety Council.
Can e-vehicles be a popular public transport mode in Delhi?
Though NDMC and SDMC are doing their part, it may not be smooth sailing. For one, the number of e-vehicles is too less to cater to the population. There's no clear policy, and guidelines on establishing stations, vehicles' supply, infrastructure provision and private participation are vague. Moreover, the concept is still new and not yet popular, so the public might initially be hesitant.
